New Self-Help Resources for Men in Rural Communities

Release date: 09 Oct 2007

To coincide with World Mental Health Day tomorrow Lifeline Australia has released two new resources for the support and awareness of the mental health issues faced by men, particularly those in rural communities.

A new self help tool kit has been produced by the Lifeline Information Service entitled “Tool kit for
men experiencing difficult times”. This tool kit is the latest in a series of similar self-help resources
which have been produced on a range of mental health and emotional wellbeing topics.

Lifeline Australia CEO, Dawn O’Neil has commented on the importance of such resources: 

“It is sadly a fact that many men still feel that they cannot express their feelings or talk about issues such as mental health. This can particularly be the case for men living in rural or remote
communities, where services may be limited.” 

“The Lifeline Information Service provides men and women with options for finding information and accessing self-help resources. The service can be accessed either over the phone (1300 13 11 14) or via the internet, so it is both easy to use and confidential,” said Ms. O’Neil. 

The new tool kit has been developed as part of Lifeline’s Rural Men’s Health Project, an initiative
supported and funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing. This project aims to highlight areas of need among Australian males living in rural and remote communities, and address these needs with appropriate information and resources around emotional support, suicide prevention and help seeking. 

A new Lifeline Calls Profile identifying statistics around the men who call Lifeline’s 24-hour telephone counselling line has also been developed. The new Profile also provides an insight into the issues faced by Australian men living in rural communities. 

“Everyone is different and emotional wellbeing is an issue that affects all communities in some way. By understanding that issues vary across genders, cultures and other demographics, we can better tailor the support services that are provided,” said Ms. O’Neil. 

“While these resources have been produced with rural men in mind, they would certainly have an
application for all men who feel they need further information on help-seeking or emotional support.” 

For more information about Lifeline’s role in mental health and to download the “Tool kit for men
experiencing difficult times” or the Lifeline Calls Profile: “Help-seeking behaviourLifeline’s World Mental Health Day page online at www.lifeline.org.au

Media Contact: Enita Hampton (ph: 02 6215 9406 or 0434378939)